Illinois lawmaker pushes for video gaming 'exclusion' list

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers are moving forward with creating an exclusion list of people the Illinois Gaming Board deems shouldn't be involved with video gambling.

The measure is sponsored by Chicago Democratic Sen. Ira Silverstein. It was unanimously passed Wednesday by a Senate committee.

Under the legislation, the gaming board would be allowed to place someone on an exclusion list if the board or a court finds their conduct unsuitable. That could include people with a criminal history or an association with organized crime.

Illinois' Riverboat Gambling Act allows the gaming board to exclude people from casinos, but the state's Video Gaming Act does not.

The gaming board said it would help stress that video gaming is a privilege. Opponents say the list could interfere with due process.